Village councilor gunned down after taking oath in Compostela Valley

DAVAO CITY – Gunmen shot and killed a newly elected village councilor in Maco town, Compostela Valley on Tuesday, police said on Wednesday.

One of the assailants was also wounded after police caught up with them after the shooting of Omar Macusang, 46, of Pangi village, according to Chief Insp. Milgrace Driz, Southern Mindanao police spokesperson.

Driz said Macusang, a private contractor, was aboard his black pickup truck heading home after taking his oath at the municipal gymnasium as Pangi village councilor when attacked by motorcycle-riding gunmen near a bridge at Purok (Community) Tagumpay, Barangay (Village) Binuangan at 12:40 p.m.

She said the suspects drove alongside the left side of Macusang’s vehicle and opened fire, hitting him many times in the body, before fleeing.

Responding policemen were able to catch up with the perpetrators and a brief gunfight ensued.

The suspects allegedly followed the victim as he emerged from the gym and climbed on to his SUV.

“One of the suspects was hit in the leg but he was able to hop back on the getaway motorcycle and fled,” Driz said.

She said Macusang was rushed to the Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City but was declared dead upon arrival by attending physicians.

Recovered from the crime scene were four bullets and 15 empty shells from a still undetermined firearm.

An investigation into the incident was now underway, Driz said.

Macusang was the fourth newly elected village official slain in Southern Mindanao since May./lb